Why Relationships Matter in Business Development
Whether you’re an artist, a shop owner, or a service-based business, relationships are the lifeblood of a thriving enterprise. Starting, running, and scaling a business all come with their own hurdles, but the two most persistent challenges entrepreneurs face are finding customers and building a team. At their core, both of these are relationship challenges. To attract and retain your ideal customer, you need to nurture your relationship with them—understanding their problems, offering meaningful solutions, and consistently showing up for them. When it comes to building a strong team, healthy relationships are essential for creating a foundation of trust, reliability, and shared purpose. Without strong relationships, the day-to-day operations of a business become more difficult, and long-term growth becomes nearly impossible.
How you treat people in business matters, and I firmly believe that generosity and integrity come back tenfold. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how small acts of kindness and support can transform into unexpected opportunities. One of the biggest art commissions I ever received came because of a connection I built while volunteering to teach a 3D printing class for girls nearly a decade ago. At the time, I had no idea it would lead to anything other than the joy of sharing my knowledge, but that relationship stayed alive, and years later, it turned into a major professional opportunity. This is the essence of business relationships—they are long games built on trust, goodwill, and reciprocity.
Your reputation doesn’t just live in the work you produce; it lives in the way people talk about you when you’re not in the room. Other people sharing your name in spaces you haven’t yet reached is one of the most powerful forms of credibility. Authentic recommendations carry more weight than any self-promotion ever could. When you cultivate genuine relationships, others will naturally vouch for you, opening doors that you might not have even known existed.
Beyond reputation and referrals, strong relationships create a powerful support system. When you surround yourself with other business owners, collaborators, and industry allies, you gain a network that you can lean on when you need help. I’ve lost count of how many times a fellow entrepreneur has come through with a recommendation, an introduction, or a piece of advice at just the right moment. It works both ways—when we all invest in each other’s success, we all rise together.
So how do you cultivate and maintain these vital relationships? Start by staying in the spirit of giving. Instead of always asking what you can get, ask yourself how you can help others. Small gestures of support and generosity create a ripple effect, leading to deeper, more meaningful connections. Trust your instincts, too. Good people tend to surround themselves with other good people, and as your network grows, opportunities multiply. Lastly, treat people the way you want to be treated—with kindness, honesty, and respect. Be clear about your needs, assume the best intentions, and operate with integrity. Business isn’t just about transactions; it’s about people. And when you prioritize relationships, success has a way of following.